Looking for a helmet, opinions?

joshr08 · April 27, 2009, 01:08:23 PM

another thing to think about is checking with the place you order your helmet from if they have free size changes. where we got my wifes helmet from offeres it if you order it and its too big or small just ship it back and get the right one at no extra charge. www.jafrum.com

Bluesmudge · April 27, 2009, 01:09:44 PM

Thats the case with most big online motorcycle stores. I bought a medium S-4 but it was too big so I shipped it back and then bought a small.

bassmechanicsz · April 27, 2009, 01:10:56 PM

I have a scorpion exo-700 that i ordered online but went and tried it on in a store first and it fit the same as the one in the store. I was going to get the exo-400 until i tried it on in the store and noticed a huge difference in how much breathability the helmet allowed while just standing still with the shield down and all vents open. I felt like it was harder to breath with the exo-400 than the 700 and also if i remember correctly the 700 also felt lighter on my head than the 400. Fits my head perfectly and i don't find it to be to heavy while riding around.

wladziu · April 27, 2009, 08:34:44 PM

Hey, OP,

My medium-sized Sparx might fit you well, if you like HJC's.
It's in the link, at the bottom of my post.

Just wrecked in my size small, they're sending me a new one to replace it, free of charge. Changing to a different design (matte black) and they're throwing in extra new visors for free, also.
I've wrecked twice in it: one low-side skid, and one pretty violent collision with a (ahem) sign post. My entire body weight basically fell on my face on the last wreck, at about 35/45 mph - not even a sore scalp. Visor popped off, scratched the paint... but no headache, etc.
Works for me.

The size is slightly too tight, but I can spin the medium around for 10 degrees or so. I went with the small. Sounds like the medium would be a perfect fit for you.

Wind noise is pretty minimal, light weight, comfortable, lots of compliments, return policy...

Weston · April 27, 2009, 09:36:39 PM

If your ordering it online, read reviews on the exact model you want, and often they will say if it fits big for its size or small for its size. That is what i did, I am between a med and large, I ended up with a large. it fits good.

Merritt · April 28, 2009, 08:58:29 AM

I'm currently using a Scoropion EXO 700. It could be a little better ventilated, but it's not bad. My last helmet (which I still have) was a Shoei RF-900, and I loved it more. It fit like a glove! However, the new RF-1000 doesn't fit. The mediums don't get past my ears, and the larges are like putting a five gallon bucket on my head.

Next helmet I get will be either another Scorpion or if I've got extra cash I might look at Arai.

jdw03n · April 28, 2009, 09:16:04 AM

+1 on the Sparx.

I bought mine at a local vendor. I was concerned at first because it was EXTREMELY affordable ($140), but the reviews I read were pretty good. I ride with my visor up 98% of the time, the 2% I've had it down the air flow was still pretty good.

joshr08 · April 28, 2009, 09:46:19 AM

why do you ride with your visor open? thats like driving a car with no windsheild

SteveM · April 28, 2009, 11:11:12 AM

I have an HJC Raven and like it very much. Fits my head well and isn't too noisy on the highway. I also have an M2R and just bought a Bell Apex. All are nice.

jdw03n · April 28, 2009, 01:38:36 PM

Quote from: joshr08 on April 28, 2009, 09:46:19 AM
why do you ride with your visor open? thats like driving a car with no windsheild

Because I ride around town at no greater than 45 miles an hour, and I like it

fred · April 28, 2009, 02:47:53 PM

Quote from: jdw03n on April 28, 2009, 01:38:36 PM
Quote from: joshr08 on April 28, 2009, 09:46:19 AM
why do you ride with your visor open? thats like driving a car with no windsheild

Because I ride around town at no greater than 45 miles an hour, and I like it

Don't you have all kinds of junk hitting your face though? I have stuff bounce off my visor all the time. Bugs, little bits of road debris, rocks and who knows what else. I'd have to have any of that stuff hit me in the face or even worse, eyes...

XealotX · April 28, 2009, 03:19:58 PM

Quote from: fred on April 28, 2009, 02:47:53 PM
...I have stuff bounce off my visor all the time. Bugs, little bits of road debris, rocks and who knows what else. I'd have to have any of that stuff hit me in the face or even worse, eyes...

True. Lately, by the time I get five miles from the house I wish my face shield had windshield wipers. Looks like every bug in the state of Misery has tried to kamikaze my face. Open face helmet guys must be suffering from a bug protein shortage.

Plus, I had yet to ride 20 total (in my life) miles when a rock the size of a marble smacked me square where my nose would have been without the shield. Wasn't a car in sight...came out of no where. Made me a believer that SECOND.

DoD#i · April 28, 2009, 03:55:03 PM

I'm happy with a HJC CL-15; and I don't agree with the generalization that more money == quieter/nicer automatically. If newenough has your size/color, they have the price and a decent reputation. Go try helmets on, and leave the ones worth considering on your head for more than a minute or two. Head shapes differ, brand/model helmet shapes differ, try to find a decent match. Sizing varies by maker as well.

I will at most crack my shield a tiny bit at very low speeds - open is inviting pain (and also requires wearing safety glasses, in this state). June bugs at 55 can be a bell-ringing experience. The vents on the CL-15 seem to be effective.

ATLRIDER · April 28, 2009, 05:05:11 PM

Quote from: joshr08 on April 28, 2009, 09:46:19 AM
why do you ride with your visor open? thats like driving a car with no windsheild

That's why I like my Scorpion EXO-1000. It has an internal drop down plastic lens that protects the eyes and keeps the sun rays at bay.
Reasons I like it:
-internal retractable sun-visor
-pump up cheek pads
-inside pads totally removable for cleaning
-complete inside padding replaceable for only $30
-Snell/Dot approved

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?p=exo-1000+helmet&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8

EDIT- WebbikeWorld review:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/scorpion/exo-1000/

PaviSays · April 28, 2009, 05:41:49 PM

Wow, that Scorpion EXO-1000 looks real nice. Idk about the price there though. If I'm gonna be spending that much, it seems like I'd probably go for an Arai. But I guess it just all boils down to personal preference, like you guys said.

ATLRIDER · April 28, 2009, 05:48:24 PM

The EXO-1000 runs about $300 shipped. I thought the Arai's ran twice that much

Here's another review for a DOT approved helmet with a review at webbikeworld. It got 2007 helmet of the year. It's less $ too.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/gmax/gm68s/

BaltimoreGS · April 28, 2009, 07:21:17 PM

I also have a HJC CL-15 and I would recommend it. I have a Z1R helmet which got rated as the "safest" helmet by some magazine. It is not as comfortale and does not ventilate as well as the HJC. I beleive in that article there was some controversy over whether the SNELL certification was better or worse in a typical street crash.

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Looking for a helmet, opinions?